Patent GB-190828253-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Mechanical Calculators.
Inventor: ELLIS HALCOLM
Filed: 1908-12-28
Granted: 1909-12-28
Abstract: 28,253. Ellis, H. Dec. 28. Calculating - apparatus.-Combined typewriters and recording adding-machines, of the kind described in Specification No. 20,422, A.D. 1903, in which both departments of the machine print by means of the same platen, which is that of the usual typewriter carriage, are modified for the purpose of dealing with book-keeping accounts by the addition of a second totalizer below the rack-bars, together with a bank of special keys for controlling the operation of the machine. The adding- machine is of the multiple-bank, key-set, handleoperated type wherein the set keys act as stops for the released rack-bars, which are returned to position while in engagement with a totalizing-counter without visible numerals ; the printing segments are differentially set by the rack-bars, and are subsequently moved bodily against a stationary platen to give the impression. The improvements relate to the following parts :-(1) keyboard ; (2) differential rack-bars with alining and totalizerengaging parts ; (3) transfer mechanism ; (4) printing-mechanism; (5) punctuation and non- printing slide; (6) main operating-mechanism with full-stroke and interlocking parts ; (7) dash-pot for the main-operating-shaft ; (8) general arrangement and operation of the controlling keys ; (9) engagement of the totalizers by means of the adding-keys or tabulating-devices ; (10) numeralkey release ; (11) total keys ; (12) sub-total keys; (13) repeat key ; (14) non-adding key ; (15) release or error key ; (16) distinguishing mark for totals ; (17) typewriter details. The machine is provided with a number of operating-shafts, 01, R1, R2, P1, A1, 1A, Fig. 3, rocked or rotated by the handle 0,58, Fig. 40, under the control of the numeral keys and the controlling-keys, the proper timing and interlocking of the parts driven from these shafts being provided for. (1) The numeral keys are restored by springs K80, Fig. 3, mounted in slots in the plates 60K between the denomination banks so as to press upwards against washers 56K secured to the keystems, above which are loose felt washers K99 and above these other washers 59K held in the plates. Stops K23 upon the keys co-operate with the stepped upper surfaces of the rack-bars to determine the differential movement. For each bank there is a key-latch 52K, Fig. 10, and a key-lock 53K, both of which are spring-controlled plates pivoted on the rods K1 and controlled by transverse members connected with the operating-parts. These plates coact with projections upon each keystem of the bank, and the condition for withdrawal of the corresponding rack-lock 68K is that one key in the bank shall have been fully depressed, with consequent movement of the key-latch and key-lock as shown in Fig. 10. (2) The rearward movement of each rack-bar occurs when due rotation of the operating-shaft R1 withdraws the yoke 45R rearwards, thus permitting the spring R81 to move similarly the threearmed member R45 and therewith a toothed alining-sector R52 which is connected with the corresponding rack-bar R50 by a pin and slot, and by a spring R80, the combination of springs producing a uniform tension upon the rack-bar. As the yoke arrives at its extreme position, the alining- edge R93 slips past the end of a segment R54 and engages the alining-sector. The front and back arms of the member R45 actuate the printing- parts, and are bent to accommodate closely-spaced type-sectors. Each of the totalizers A50, Fig. 3, is carried in a frame A48, pivoted at A16, Fig. 16, and the main spindle A2 of the totalizer engages a cam-slot in plates fast upon the totalizer-engagement shaft A1, whereby the totalizer is depressed at will. The lower totalizer is controlled from the shaft 1A and engages with teeth on the under edges of the rack-bars. (3) Transfer-mechanism of the externallyoperated kind derives its independent movement from the totalizer-engagement shaft, the transfer being affected after disengagement of the totalizer and rack-bars. Transfer teeth upon the totalizer pinions trip levers A52, A53, Fig. 16, thereby releasing the corresponding slide A56, which is moved slightly to the rear by a spring until arrested by the transfer-resetting bar A49. Subsequently the totalizer is lifted into gear with the downwardlyprojecting teeth of the companion slide A54, the resetting-bar is lowered by a movement of the engagement shaft A1, and the two slides complete their rearward movement and effect the transfer. Finally the bar rises to reset the parts, and is then withdrawn to its normal position. (4) The printing-sector P54, Fig. 3, for each denomination is pivotally mounted upon the arm 52P, which is loose upon the main printing-shaft P1, and is differentially set by a rod P53 and the three-armed lever which moves with the rack-bar. The arm carrying the printing-sector is urged rearwards by a spring P85 secured to an arm P58 fast open the main printing-shaft, but is restrained by its companion arm P62, which is also loose upon the main printing-shaft, carries a strong loop spring P16 engaging a pin upon the arm 52P, and is controlled by the trip devices. The displacement of the three-armed lever trips the zero-control lever P57, by means of the pin R15, and therewith all such levers to the right. The main printing-shaft now carries the arms P58 rearwards, extending the springs P85, and withdraws the main trip-arms 57P, whereupon the arms 52P, P62 fly backwards, the impression is effected, and the extension of the loop-spring due to arrest of the arms P62 by a stop-bar causes a slight withdrawal of the typesectors after impression. (5) Each denomination has a type for a punctuation mark, carried by a pivoted arm P59, and the adjustment of the slide P67, Fig. 32, which has three projections for tripping the latch pawls of the punctuation arms, determines the position of the decimal point and of the point at every third denomination, a further movement to the left of the knob 10B, Fig. 31, to which the slide P67 is connected, resulting also in the locking of the printing-sectors against impression, by the obstruction of the companion arms P62, thereby acting as a non-printing slide. (6) The main operating-shaft 01, Fig. 40, is rocked by means of a handle 0,58, loose upon the shaft and having a rigid connexion with a plate 0,50, carrying the full-stroke pawl 0,91, which cooperates with a rack 0,67, provided at its lower end with a hook to prevent vibration of the pawl at the end of the forward stroke. A lever 51,0 cooperates during certain positions of the typewriter carriage, with a projection on the full-stroke pawl, to prevent full reversal thereof at the end of the rearward stroke, and thus to lock the machine. Movement is conveyed to the main shaft by the springs 0,80 and 80,0 and associated link-work arranged between the plate 0,50 and a plate 0,51, which is fast on the main shaft and drives shafts R1, P1, R2 through cams and linkwork, the shaft R2 controlling the alining-bar. In the normal or raised position of the handle, there is sufficient tension in the springs to ensure that upon the first movement of the handle, with consequent tripping of a book 0,53 by a projection 0,55, the plate 0,51 shall at once move to the full extent under the control of a dash-pot, thereby allowing the springs to contract to the fullest extent. As the handle moves forwards, the springs are extended, and the plates 0,50, 0,51 are again latched by the hook for a common return. If the handle-plate completes the forward stroke before the plate 0,51, it is held against return by a hook 0,65, which is subsequently tripped upon completion of the forward movement of the main operating-plate 0,51. The handle is also subject to a locking action which is only destroyed by the arrival of the carriage in the tabulating position, or by the depression of certain controlling-keys. (7) Figs. 42 and 43 show the dash-pot D46 of shallow cylindrical form provided with a cover D47, through which passes a spindle D1 oscillated by the main shaft, the cylinder containing also fixed quadrantal segments D48, D49 with passages for the flow of liquid, one of which may be regulated by turning the cut-away bolt, 25D, by means of a second screw, 26D. Attached to the spindle is a diametral vane, 52D, whereby the action of the main shaft is controlled. (8) The particular operation to be performed is determined by a special bank of nine controlling- keys on the left of the keyboard, comprising release, repeat, and non-adding keys, together with adding, total, and sub-total keys for each totalizer. The total, subtotal, and non-adding keys are interlocked by pivoted drop-pieces, co-operating with pins on the key stems and moved by a spring at the beginning of the operation. Several of these keys govern the effect to be subsequently produced by the rocking of a three-armed lever D67, Fig. 57, effected by a pin D14 upon a main shaft-plate D50. (9) A tabulating-key disengages the typewriter carriage escapement and allows the carriage to move to the left until arrested by the contact of an adjustable stop with a stop-bar thrown up for the purpose ; while the carriage remains in this position inclined surfaces upon the stop and upon a lever pivoted to the frame co-operate to raise links D64, D60, Fig. 57, and unlock a lever D58, the upper pin D21 of which follows the link upon the three-armed lever downwards and allows the bent lever D51 to swing as the plate D50 moves forwards, until, towards the end of the forward stroke, the pin D12 abutting on the end of the lever D51 as shown arrests the straightening of a link D56 and flying lever D53 and thereby rotates the totalizer-engagement shaft A1. Similar parts control the lower totalizer. The adding-key for either totalizer produces a like effect, for instance the upper key K65 rocks the lever L57 and thereby the lever D60, the movement of which is also utilized to release the main o